Watson ends marathon challenge Photo gallery: London calling

Watson received the award, for courage and achievement in the face of adversity, after completing the London Marathon earlier this year.

He was presented with the trophy by another famous fighter, 'Marvellous' Marvin Hagler, who called him "a great inspiration".

The 38-year-old Watson, who is partially paralysed, finished the course in six days, raising millions of pounds for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

Watson was critically injured in a WBO super-middleweight title fight against Chris Eubank in September 1991.

Where there's a will there's a way Michael Watson

He spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations, after which doctors told him he would never walk again.

The idea that he would even contemplate a marathon, much less complete it was apparently beyond the realms of possibility.

But the medical experts reckoned without Watson's boundless determination, and unshakable faith in God.

Poignant end to Watson's epic journey

Watson, for whom every step forward takes an extraordinary effort, needed an hour to complete every mile, and took on the course by covering two miles in the morning and two more in the afternoon.

He was supported along the way by hundreds of well-wishers, and was joined on the route by the likes of boxer Audley Harrison, promoter Frank Warren and comedian Ricky Gervais.

Michael Watson was a deserving winner. He is an inspiration to us all From Alan, Cardiff Join the debate

Watson walked the final leg with Eubank, who described his former foe's achievement as "a miraculous feat of human endeavour".

At the finish line, the ebullient Watson said he felt "super" and paid tribute to those who had aided his recovery.

In June, he was honoured by the Variety Club of Great Britain where he promised there would be "much more to come" including another tilt at the London Marathon in 2004.